what to do- cut off teat.

[springvalley]

Had a first calf heifer just calved, looks like a week or so ago cut off about the bottom third of her teat. No clue how or where, just happened. I have no idea what to do with her as she does not want anything done to it as it is sore. No milk will come out of it, is she just going to be a three teater. Anyone have any ideas let me know as I need to do something fast as she will not be long before she either will dry up on that quarter or get mastitis in it with no way to milk it out. I have never had a heifer do this before. Thanks Marc

[Callieslamb]

I am surprised there isn't milk draining out of it already. Are you sure she doesn't have mastitis already? Is it really swollen? Any time one of our cows got a cut like that, they usually just drained out on the ground. I doubt you can save it. Maybe others have a different experience.;

[Ronney]

Marc, I have had two cows loose the bottom of their teats when they attempted to climb fences. There is a sphincter muscle at the bottom of the teat and once it is lost as in the case of your heifer, the teat heals and closes off. So yes, she will be a three titter but that isn't necessarily bad - my cows produced as much from 3 teats as they did from 4 and one of them I am still milking.

She will dry off in that quarter, probably without any trouble unless the teat itself becomes infected, but if you suspect that she may have/get mastitis have a word with your vet and get an injectable AB appropriate for the job.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[Up North]

Once that sphincter muscle is gone there's not much hope. I've tried saving cows like that but it always ended up with a big case of mastitis.